Developing Future Australian Farms

The $11.5 million Boorowa Agricultural Research Station (BARS), set up on the outskirts of town, is now researching new types of crop seeds and agronomic strategies.

The CSIRO established the 290 hectare purpose-built agricultural research facility in 2019.

Post COVID delays, the research organisation hopes the work done there will help develop Australian farms of the future.

This will happen through the testing of emerging crop science, agronomy and farming system technologies.

“It continues CSIRO’s long history in agricultural breeding and genetics, with hundreds of small plots dedicated to the development of new varieties of wheat, canola and grain legumes as well as pastures,” a CSIRO statement said.

“The facility also operates experiments on innovative agronomic strategies such as nutrient management, tillage and stubble management, crop and pasture sequences for mixed-enterprise systems, and sowing times.”

The facility allows long-term farming systems experiments that investigate changes to the soil over time. This will provide a better understanding of the impact of factors such as soil organic matter and soil acidity on farm profitability.

“BARS is assisting CSIRO to deliver on its commitment to increase food production in cropping and livestock systems, improve drought tolerance and disease resistance, and improve nutritional values to meet the challenges of the future,” the organisation said.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation is an investment partner, helping to develop BARS research. It’s also supported by the Science and Industry Endowment Fund.

• Topics:

• Agriculture
• Science and Technology